Good Samaritan killed and second man seriously hurt as they go to help pensioner injured in car smash

A MAN died and another was fighting for his life today after they were hit by a van while trying to help an elderly crash victim.

A MAN died and another was fighting for his life today after they were hit by a van while trying to help an elderly crash victim.

The two men had gone to the aid of a 71-year-old woman after seeing her car collide with another vehicle on the A737 in Linwood last night.

But as they attempted to help the driver, they were struck by the van.

The pair left their vehicles to help after the pensioner's Polo car crossed the road's central reservation and collided with an oncoming Seat Leon.

Police said a 47-year-old man died at the scene and a 39-year-old was taken to Glasgow's Southern General Hospital with critical injuries to his head and leg.

The accident happened shortly before 8.30pm.

The two men had stopped their cars on the eastbound carriageway of the A737, then crossed over to the westbound carriageway to help.

The Polo driver was taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where she is being treated for a shoulder injury.

The 25-year-old driver of the Seat Leon was left "shaken" and the van driver was not hurt in the incident, police said.

Inspector Paul Reilly, of the Road Policing Department at Dumbarton, said: "The two men were assisting the elderly injured woman, when they were struck by the van on the carriageway.

"Unfortunately this tragic incident also shows how dangerous busy roads can be, and I would urge anyone who witnesses a road crash on a busy road not to walk along the carriageways, but contact the emergency services."